Control mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



Oct. 19, 1954 R. E. DUMAS 2,692,139

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed April 6. 1949 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR. N ROGfR E. DOA 1H5 Oct. 19, 1954 R. E. DUMAS 2,692,139

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed April 6. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' czz zom Oct. 19, 1954 R. E. DUMAS 2592,139

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed April 6. 1949 e Sheets-Sheet s {2 II b R?) Oct. 19, 1954 R. E. DUMAS Filed April 6. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I I/IIFIT" Y {01' I I A A W INVENTOR. V R065? 5. DOM/4.5 BY v R. E. DUMAS 2,692,139

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Oct. 19, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 6, 1949 R. E. DUMAS 2,692,139

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 & Q IHQ y INVENTOR CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES @Q m v \NN @W 5% \m g y, .r flu \l 4 mm m A &\N g fi 3 sfi m Qu N NE HQ L w QR N NE \w MN .m 4 u 5 Mm & Q v NM \MN %\N\ www QN 4 Oct. 19, 1954 Filed April 6. 1949 Patented Oct 19, 1954 CONTROL MECHANISlli FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Roger E. Dumas, Snyder, N. Y., assignor to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 6, 1949, Serial No. 85,893

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to bowling pin spotting machines, and more particularly to improvements in automatic bowling pin spotting machines for use with bowling alleys provided with a pit at the rear end thereof into which bowling pins fall or are delivered and are conveyed therefrom by bowling pin handling mechanism which delivers the pins, one after another, to a pin assembling mechanism or distributor Where the pins are arranged in a predetermined order or pattern for delivery to suitable spotting mechanism for placement on the pin supporting deck of a bowling alley.

The present invention contemplates the provision of improved and novel control mechanism by providing control devices engageable by pins moving from the conveying mechanism which delivers the pins from the pit of a bowling alley to the assembling device of the distributor. For example, the distributor may include a set of ten pin receiving cups which are movable one after another into and out of pin receiving position at a pin receiving station wherein pins delivered one by one from a transporting conveyor are dropped into the cups seriatim until a predetermined number of cups, usually ten, are full and the distributor mechanism is ready to effect the delivery of pins held in the cups into spotting devices on a pin spotting table which is moved to and from the pin supporting deck of the alley and a receiving position ,beneath the distributor mechanism for the proper placement of the pins in spotting arrangement on the playing deck of the alley.

Mechanism comprising the present invention is adapted primarily for use with a machine such as is shown in co-pending application Serial Number 34,895, filed June 23, 1948, by Henry W. Phillips, and the machine illustrated in co-pending application Serial Number 59,706, filed November 12, 1948, by John M. Fluke and Thomas Flint. While mention of the above referred to co-pending applications is made as disclosing machines in which the present invention can be used, it is to be understood that the structure disclosed herein can also be adapted for use in other bowling pin spotting machines employing conveying mechanism for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering them to pin assembling and distributing mechanisms.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel bowling pin handling mechanism including conveying mechanism for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley, and aligning and transferring devices having associated therewith control means which provide for the proper delivery of bowling pins one by one into assembling devices in the distributor for subsequent delivery to a pinspotter for placement on the pin supporting deck of the alley.

It is a further object of the invention to pro vide an improved pin assembling and distributing mechanism provided with control devices for operating such mechanism wherein a succession of pins is moved one by one free from lateral movemerit into cups of a distributor mechanism which are moved one after another into position to receive pins, including a control device which in sures that an empty cup is positioned to receive each pin prior to the arrival of a pin for delivery into an empty cup in the distributor.

The invention also consists in the provision of a novel bowling pin handling mechanism having spaced pin actuated, electrical trip members which control the delivery of pins to a distributor provided with a plurality of spaced cups and means for moving an empty cup into position to receive a pin prior to the arrival of a pin at the point of delivery into each empty cup.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a more flexible and rapid system for handling bowling pins and effecting their delivery into a distributor mechanism ready for delivery into a pin spotter, and a plurality of control devices operated by each pin conveyed into an empty cup of said distributor for controlling the con-- veying means which move pins from the pit of a bowling alley for delivery into the cups of the distributor and for controlling the timed operation of said distributor.

An added object of the invention is to provide a novel pin handling system and distributor for a bowling pin spotting machine which reduces materially the amount of time lost in handling the pins for spotting and which therefore increases materially the number of sets of pins spotted on a bowling alley per hour, with less wear and tear on the machine.

The invention also includes novel control devices for the pin handling and distributing mechanism of a bowling pin spotting machine, and a safety device which insures adequate time for the discharge of all bowling pins from the distributor mechanism into the pin spotting devices of the pin spotting table oi the machine.

The invention also consists in the provision of control mechanism which increases the flexibility between the pin collecting and distributing functions of a pin spotting machine, and spotting and respotting mechanisms associated therewith by permitting a variable time of unloading of the distributor with respect to the spotting and respotting table depending upon the requirements of the game and the results obtained by a bowler by each ball rolled, which thereby determines the nature of a table cycle in spotting and respotting pins on the alley and the need of the table for a new set of pins for spotting.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations which will be hereinafter fully described, and set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine, partlyin section, illustra-ting the pin distributor, aportion of the pin elevating mechanism, and that part of the novel control means which is associated with the mechanism fortransporting pins from the elevating mechanism to the distributor.

Fig. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, showinga cycling cam and associated electrical switches which control; in part, the step by step movements of' the distributor.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same shown partly in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary; sectional plan viewof the pindistributor, taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig; 1.

Fig. 6a is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating mechanism used in driving the distributor step by step.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation of a solenoid-open ated stop for the distributor platform or spider, on line I.'iof Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is aside elevation, on line 8-8- of Fig. 6; illustrating a switch and associated partsfor controlling operation of the distributor platform or spider.

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram illustrating a suitable electrical circuit and connections thereof to the control mechanism. and: operating devices o'fi'the invention.

Figure IOis anisometric view of suitable latch ing mechanism for the distributor, and- Figure 11 is arear-viewshowing. mechanism for returning and holding the trap door of: cupC5= pin supporting position.

In a machine, such as that shown in the Fluke and Flint, and Phillips applications referred to above, it is to be noted that there are twoparts ofthe machines disclosed therein which have a direct bearing on the number of games per hour such machinewill produce, that 18, 13 118 number of sets of pins that the machine will place upon the playing deck ofa bowling alley per hour.

These are:

(1') 'rhe'abili he m hin td psp t pins and to process pins through the back end, elevator, transfer belts, distributor and, table for spotting.

(2) The ball. handling speed of the. machine turn,to;thebowler-together with th e time required' 4 for the bowler to pick up the ball and deliver it to the machine for the next ball.

This invention involves creating additional flexibility between the movements of the table as dictated by the time at which balls are received by the machine and the handling of pins by the remainder of the machine for delivery to the table for spotting.

, In a machine such as disclosed in the Fluke and Flint application a set of pins from a preceding frame conveyed, aligned and delivered into the cups. of the distributor ready for loading into the spotting table by the time the first ball of the next frame isrolled and the table is lowered to test for the presence or absence of pins standing on the pin supporting deck of the alley. In the operation of said machine, it is a requirement for thiscyole that a new set of pins be delivered to the table at the beginning of each frame. The time available for effecting the delivery of pins under customary bowling conditions: is. equivalent to the time from the lastpin. being sweptintd thepit from the preceding second ball cycle until; the receipt of the first ball ofthe next frame to be rolled or the next first ball cycle of the machines:

operation.

For example, this time maybe say approxi-. mately: eight seconds plusv the bowlers: time; of twelve seconds, or twenty seconds total. The pin. handling ability of the machine disclosed; in said; Fluke and Flint application for example, may be. oneset of pins per twenty-six seconds. total: time, including the time required for conveying the. first pin to be delivered into the distributor from the pit of: the alley. When pins are discharged fromv the distributor tothe pin, receiving table at the beginning of the first ball cycle, i. c. after the firstball: of the frame is thrown, asizinthe machine of 'the typeshown in the Fluke and Flint application, above referred to, these pins are held. in. the table for aminimum. of say eight seconds in the case of a strike, or a maximum of'approximately thirty seconds in the case of' a normal. cycle involving-thethrowing: of tWOtbfiJlSatG co'mpletethe. frame. This storage time represents dead: time. insofar asithe pin handling process isiconc'ernedz.

In. the presentm-vention thisdead: time is substantialiy eliminated; by) having: the pins; delivered from. the loaded distributorinto the table at the end. of the first: ball: cycle, thereby. allowing, for example, an: additional fifteenv seconds: for the conveying, aligning. and delivery. of pins. into. the. distributor'b'efore any delay: iscaused in the table: operating cycle. The overall time of handling pinsliromtheztimethey are placed-50h the pin-supporting-deck of the alley untilthe samegrioupof pins. is. again; delivered.- to the: spotting; device of the pin spotting table-is reduced: to approximately thirty seconds, as. compared; to approximately forty-five seconds', as a. result of; thisinvention.

According tov the. invention, the: pin spotting table. is never required; to support more than ten pins at any one time, thereby reducing the cou-n terweig'hting-or power necessary to operate the table.

'Ihenovel c-ontrolmecha-nism of the present invention also allows the loading of pins for astrike cycle in the middle of a strikecycle, i..e. where the pinspottingtable has made more than one trip. downto determine the. fact that a strike has beerrmade andhas' returnedto its upper. or pin. receiving position. where pins, are discharged. thereto from the distributor; and then; returns to pin spotting; position. adjacent thepinsupport-ing;

deck to spot the pins received from the distributor.

Thus according to the invention, during a strike cycle, pins are required to be supported in the table only during the length of time for the table to move from its pin receiving to its spotting position or a total of approximately four seconds. In earlier machines, such as in the above referred to Fluke and Flint application, pins are supported in the table before the latter moves downwardly to test for the presence or absence of standing pins on the alley after the throwing of a ball, or after a strike is made, and are carried upwardly in the table, and not spotted on the alley until the table makes its second trip down which requires a total of approximately eleven to twelve seconds The culminative effect of these reductions in time is to permit a slower elevator speed and a slower transfer belt and distributor speed for a given number of table cycles per hour since the elevator system now operates at a more uniform pace rather than having to operate fast at short intervals of time and then wait until the pins are supplied by the action of the bowling game.

In general, the pin spotting machine illustrated for disclosing an embodiment of the present in- I vention, includes an alley X, the rear end or playing zone of which is seen in Fig. 1, and at the rear of which the pit 2%, for the reception of pins P, and thrown balls, is located.

Extending from the rear of the structure forwardly along the pit and the alley X are the usual side walls or kickbacks 22. Disposed between and connected to the rear ends of the kickbacks 22 is a vertical skeleton framework 25, Fig. 2, including opposite spaced side uprights 26 connected at bottom and top by horizontal members 28 and 30 respectively and by intermediate members 32.

Suitable means, such as an endless, substantially horizontal belt or apron dil, Fig. 1, may be provided for carrying the pins and balls in the pit 20 rearwardly to the pin and ball elevating means. This belt till may be driven by any suitable means in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, as by shaft 42, Fig. 2, operatively connected, by means not shown to a sprocket chain tit engaging a sprocket on an end of the rear roller :28 of the apron Ml, Fig. 1.

Pins P, so delivered, enter lengthwise a trough or space 53 between horizontal transverse guides 56, Fig. 2, between which travel, in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 2, the lower runs of a pair of endless conveyor chains 52 of the pin elevating conveyor G9. These chains pass upwardly (at the left, Fig. 2) to the top of the frame 25, across the top thereof below frame cross member 3% and thence downwardly at the right hand end of frame 24, Fig. 2, and thence to the guides 511%. These chains carry between them equally spaced pin carriers or flights 55, which engage pins P, disposed in trough 53 between the guides E39 and elevate them (at the left, Fig. 2) through an elongated enclosed chute 5! to the top of frame 24 for discharge, one after another, upon an inclined chute 66. The pins P fall from this chute 60 upon a longitudinal forwardly inclined plate 62, Figs. 1 and 2, which guides them to the pin transport mechanism K, to be described, which delivers them to the distributor D. The mechanism just described is substantially the same in construction and operation as that disclosed in the above referred to Phillips application, and since it forms no specific part of the 6, present invention, further detailed description and illustration are deemed unnecessary.

The pin elevating chains 52 may be driven in any suitable way, as by a motor M3, suitably braked, Figs. 1 and 2, connected by a belt and pulleys of suitable size, to a shaft 6 3. A sprocket (not shown) on shaft 64, together with suitable intervening sprockets and chains, connects shaft 64 to a shaft 66 on which are mounted three sprockets 68 (see Figs. 1 and 2), two of which mesh with the chains 52 and serve to drive those chains at a speed such that pins being engaged and elevated by the flights 5%; will arrive in timed relation and be delivered as needed, to the pin transport means, designated generally K.

Motor M3, above mentioned, could run continuously, but in accordance with the novel control mechanism of this invention, it is stopped at intervals in accordance with the delivery of a suitable or required number of pins, for example ten,.into the distributor D, to fill the distributor and to then prevent the arrival of additional pins beyond the number required. After distributor D has been unloaded of its charge of pins, 1notor M3 is started again and conveyor 59 elevates pins removed from pit 28 for delivery to the distributor.

Distributor D, above referred to, is best seen in Figs. 3 and 6, and is arranged above a suitable spotting and respotting tabl T, Fig. l, which will be referred to later. Bowling pins to be distributed are delivered one by one in succession from the elevating mechanism of Fig. 2 by way of the pin transport mechanism K referred to, so that they are free to fall one after another into the cups or pockets in distributor D at the pin delivery station. a

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, distributor D is disposed between spaced upright side frames in! and is supported on a cross channel Hid extending transversely above the distributor and connected at its ends to the top members of the side frame till. Distributor D is provided with ten pin receiving cups 0, designated Cl-Cia inclu- L sive, corresponding in number to the number of pins customarily constituting a set or frame. Cups Cl-Ciil are preferably of hopper or funnel formation having circular open lower ends, see Fig. 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ten cups Ci-Cld, are mounted on a horizontal supporting frame [b2 secured to a vertical shaft Y mounted in suitable bearings in a gear box use mounted on the web of the cross channel liiii. Beneath the distributor frame I02, the shaft Y rotatably supports the hub N3 of a pin supporting platform of spider ii l provided with a plurality of radial arms having pin supports Hi5 which normally extend beneath and adjacent to the open lower ends of the cups C for supporting pins P m the cups. Relative motion between the cups and the spider is provided so that when desired, the spider may be shifted relatively to the shaft Y and the cups to clear the open ends of the latter and allow simultaneous discharge of the ten pin in cups Cl-Ci il inclusive to the table T. In the disclosed arrangement, the discharged pins fall from the distributor D into funnels F of the table, see Fig. 1.

The pin transport mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. Pins conveyed to distributor D by transport mechanism K, drop into whichever cups Cl-Clil of distributor D come into line therewith sequentially at the pin receiving station at th discharging end of transport mecha- 7.. m's'm Ki Owing totheposition of No, in the standard triangular arrangementon-the alley: for play, cupCE is disposed between and close to cups C8 and: C9 and: isinclined and of such form as to guide a pin received therein to the appropriate spotter pin tunnel or guide of table '13. The other cups Cw, C6, C3, C1, $2; C iand C1; are spaced apart twice the angular distance existing' between cups C8; C5, and 09, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3..

Shaft Y is. driven intermittentlyto move the empty cups to: the receiving. station, and filled cups away therefrom, as stated. The drive for shaft Y' may be obtained from a suitable motor M2 and gear reduction unit mounted on the frame of the machine. Shaft l2'2 o'f unit 253 has a pulleyand belt connection, as-b-y belt 123 tea pulley 2 operating the driving section of a one-- revolution clutch 126 of any known or standardtype, such as a #2- Hilliard clutch. The driven element I of the clutch 2 5 is secured to shaft E28 supported in bearings in the gear box 563", mounted on channel Hi6.

The driving connections betweentheshaft' Y and the one-revolution clutchl 26 are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5;

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, shaft Y has secured thereto a gear IZBa which meshes with apinion I29 secured to a shaft l 2 9a mounted in hearingsin the gear box. I 03.

Also mounted on shaft 12-90: is a bevel gear 838a meshing with a bevel pinion PM secured to the. inner end of the driving section remof the clutch: I26. The ratio of theloevel gears I-Sflwand I3! efi ects a 3:1 reduction; and the ratio of spur gears 2851. and E29- e ffects' an. additional reduction of 6:1. The overall result is a drive ratio of 18:1 between clutch F26" and shaft Y.

Clutch I25 is operableby an intermittently ac-- tuated solenoidSZ Fig; 6a, connected to a spring engaged latch lever i331 Lever 313 asshown in Fig. 6a normally latches a earn 34' of the clutch M6 to hold the clutch disconnected"; When the solenoid S2 is momentarily energized, latch lever I 38 is moved to freethe cam- 13%, whereupon theclutch is thrown in, and is-now ableto make onerevolution to operate the above described gear-- ing in box [-93 to rotate shaft Y and the distri-bw tor D and spider H4, at the desired speed, i'n-a counterclockwise directiom Figs 3 and; 6*; Thus one index of distributor D ismade.

Associated with the cam l t'd 'ofclutoh l-Zfimay bearranged a suitable stopmember Nth-Which co-operates with a stop: on: the driven clutch element to prevent overrunning, a manner well known in clutches of this sort.

Asv described in detail later, the indexing of distributor D throughmovement of its frame 02, is such that successive empty cups G t-C10" are presented v at the pinreceiving station at the end of the pin transport device K in proper timed relation. Assuming the partsto be. in the position of Fig. 3; with the first pin of anew-set re--' ceived' incupCS-L the" operation: of clutch l 2'fi is as follows: Movement-of cup GQto the present posi-- tionof cup C5, one revolution'a Indexing of cups cm, C5; C3, CI, 62, G4, C"! and C8 requires two' revolutionsof clutch [-2 d to" present each of those cups for delivery of a pin P thereto. In moving cup C5 into pin receivingpositions one-revolution of the clutch is called for.

Solenoid S2--is actuated, inaccordance with the invention, by aswitch and other electrical elements associatedwith the transport device- K, as will be' exploined; 'Ilhe-astep bystep-rota- 75 sociated with the transport mechanism de tion or the: distritutor shaft- Y 'for indexing dis tributor D, through operation of solenoid S2,- as" explained; is further controlledby a cycling cam Md, Figs. 3'-5,, and related switches DA, DB- and DC. arranged in the control circuit. Cam- M0 is fi-xed to shaft" Y above gear box 593.

The pin transport: mechani'smK and the electrical 'oontrol devices associated therewith, in accordance with: this. invention, are constructed as follows; see-Figs 1 2 and 3. In those views are seen a pair of spaced,- endless V-belts 55H, disposed as in: the Phillips application Serial Number 343695 and the Fluke and Flintapplication sonar Number 59 766, earlier referred to.

Belts H51): are mounted at the front on a pair of idler p'ulieys F52 iou'rnaille'dadjacent. the dis-- tributor- D in hearings on the machine frame. The rear ends o f the" bel ts passover drive pulleys 15 3" on a driveshaft F55 mounted in bearings in the-=reanframe 24; Fig. 3} The upp'er' runs of the. belts 15S incline as show-n. in Fig. l, and travel in the direction of the arrow; being spaced to support and carry pins forwardly to the pin receiving station adjacent distributor D The lower runsof the belts engageadjustable idler pulleys 15d,- Ei'g. 1 supported on the frame 24 for pro-- viding the desired belttension.

Drive shaft i5 5 is driven from motor M3: in a mannerto stop the movement of the belts I50 when motor-Mitis stopped for stopping the pin elevating chains, as d'esc'ri'ced. For this purpose,

see

2, shaft 6 2 has a sprocket thereon. (not shown) for driving aits, operatively con-- nected t'o-a gear reduction unit 62 to which one end" of shaft 156'- is secured. At its-other end, beyond the pulleysi 55; shaft i 55. has suitable gear connections te -shaft dd which sprocket 4dassociated elements are driven-for actuating the pit apron M), as described.

Belts Hid arespaced aparta distance somewhat less than theemanimum diameter of 29911 so that they mayengage and support thebody-- of a pin at approximately its maximum: diameter and m'ove it along the transport device from the 'back end of the machine to-ar point discharge jacent a distributor cups. As each-pin Btra'vels forwardly on the belts 5 59, its head usually depends below the belts.

To ensure that each pin willbe delivercd ibutt end forward -for'proper' delivery; butt down; into the cups (3; there is provi'dcd, between a-nd somewhatbelow the upperruns of the belts I59; an inclined guide plate at terminating at its front endin a curved pindirectingsection W2; over which: pins: slide downwardly into the cups, see Fig:

The rear end guide plate l ft isalso downwardly curved at 15-74. Pins leavi'n-g' the" inclined plate 62" of the pineievating mechanism with their butt ends foremost, will engage. and restdirectly'onthes belts: tttland be; transported at once. thereby; However... some will be directed-headland down by; the'plate e2, in which case: the, heads. thereof will drop between. the:

belts ISB inrearof the curved end ti t of plate 9-: the beItadragging the pendant heads against the endv H4. Thus, those pins. will be oriented to proceed butt end'foremost, since the. heads of. those pins will. be. restrained against riding up onto plate I'Tll' until after the butts thereof have gone forward.

inv accordance with: the novel" control" mecha- The. bodies of. such, pins will. also ride om scribed, three trip switches A, B, and C. Switch A, normally closed, is secured to a side member of the transport frame itil, see Fig. 3, and has a pivoted actuator at extending over the adjacent upper run of one of the belts I59 so as to be in the path of pins moving on the transport K. Switch B, normally open, is similarly mounted at the opposite side of frame H30, and has a pivoted actuator b arranged to be likewise engaged by pins P which have passed switch A. Finally, switch C, disposed near the front or discharge end of transport device K, is also normally open and is operable by pins P engaging its pivoted actuator c, if and when they have passed switch B and the belts I50 are running.

To assist in an understanding of this invention and the operation of the machine, as controlled thereby, it might be stated here that a desirable speed ratio of the main sections of the machine is provided by the drive means described, such that the chains 52 of the rear end pin elevating mechanism if running without intermission and each flight 56 picks up and elevates a pin, are then capable of handling approximately 30 pins per minute.

Under similar conditions the belts 558 of the transport mechanism, driven by the means described, may transport approximately 50 pins per minute.

While the distributor D with all cups C full, can only carry 10 pins at any one time, it nevertheless, due to the speed at which it is driven, can receive and handle pins at an overall rate of 60 pins per minute. Thus the three sections,

each in the order described, may carry pins in excess of those carried by the preceding section, thereby ensuring freedom of operation without jamming due to creeping up of pins from one section to the next.

As shown clearly in Fig. 6, spider H4 is yieldingly held by a spring I85, one end of which is secured at ififi to a post depending from the distributor frame m2. The other end of the spring 585 is attached to a stud I8? on spider IE4. As will be seen upon reference to Figs. 3 and 6, a counterclockwise motion of distributor frame Hi2 and its cups relative to spider i It will move the open ends of the cups away from the pin supporting members I I of the spider so that pins are no longer supported by those members, and drop into spotter funnels F.

It should here be recalled that cup C5 is of different construction than that of the other cups of the distributor for the purpose of enabling it to discharge a pin into the No. 5 position of the triangular arrangement required for spotting. For this purpose, the lower end of cup C5, instead of being closed by a pin support I I5, has mounted therein a door I963 which, when the distributor is full and pins are to be discharged, is released by suitable latch mechanism to enable pin No. 5 to be discharged from cup C5 simultaneously with the discharge of all the other pins from the cups (II-C4 and cups C843! ii.

The construction and automatic operation of door I88 on cup 05 is substantially the same as that illustrated and described in the Fluke and Flint application Serial Number 59,706, previously referred to.

As shown in Figs. and 11, trap door I96 is pivotally attached at 330 to the lower edge of the front inclined wall of cup C5, and is normally held in closed or pin supporting position by a cam 354 engaged by cam follower 332 supported on arm 33I on trap door 590. Spider I I4 is provided with a frame portion 352 extending outwardly therefrom beneath the lower portion of cup C5. When distributor frame I02 moves in a counterclockwise direction relative to spider lid, as described hereinbelow, cam follower 332 will move out of engagement with cam 354 and trap door I953 then drops downwardly, thereby permitting the discharge of a pin from cup C5 to its spotter uide F.

Cam 354 is fixed to the top of frame portion 352 in position to be engaged by cam follower 332 when spider I I4 and distributor frame I92 are secured by a suitable latch mechanism against motion relative one to the other. This latch mechanism includes a plate 36'! attached to and depending from the outer side of cup C5, and provided with a notch sew. A latch 368 pivotally mounted on cam 354 engages notch 361a, and acts to prevent relative separating motion between distributor frame I02 and spider II l until it is desired to effect the delivery of pins from cups CI to Cid into spotter guides F. The free end of latch 358 is provided with a cam follower 388a.

At such times as distributor D and spider II are required to move in unison, latch 38B is retained releasably in notch 361a of plate 361 by a spring (not shown). Thus latch 368 is in engagement with notch 351a during the first nine indexing movements of the distributor and spider. Near the completion of the ninth movement, latch roller 368a runs on a cam 359 mounted on an extension 369d of the machine frame, and disposed in the path of latch roller 35841. In this way, latch 358 is swung about its pivot against the action of the above mentioned spring and is disengaged from notch 351a. It will be seen therefore that as the result of the unlatching operation described, on the next movement of frame Hi2, cam follower 332 will move off cam 354, whereupon the trap door ISE will move downwardly and discharge the pin supported thereby, as described above.

During the step by step motion of frame m2 of distributor D in loading pins into the cups thereof, spider H4 is releasably held in its pin supporting position and moves therewith. During this step by step motion of the frame I t2 and spider I I l in a counterclockwise direction, a finger I82 projecting from one of the pin supports H5, see Figs. 6 and 7, engages a stop I94 carried by a lever I96 pivotally mounted upon the side frame Iili. Between its ends, lever I95 has pivoted thereto the armature of a solenoid S3 also mounted on the frame I lit and which is energized after the relative separating motion between spider and distributor is completed and a set of pins has been delivered into spotter funnels F.

Upon actuation of solenoid S3, lever its will be raised, causing the stop I94 to release finger are on spider lid, whereupon, due to the action of the spring I85, spider H4 will be moved on shaft Y to relocate the pin supports thereon in pin supporting relationship beneath distributor cupsCI-CIEB.

In Fig. 6, the position of the parts is such that pins have been discharged from the distributor cups (II-CH5, frame I62 has moved one step beyond the pin discharge position and the spider IM has been released from the stop I94 and has caught up with the distributor cups, so that the pin supports I I5 thereof are again in pin supportposition beneath the cups and door use has been returned and latched in closed position, A suitable stop is provided to arrest the spider when it has been moved relatively to the distributor by 1 1 spring 155. if desired, such a stop may comprise the latch 360 which engagesnotch ssmm latch plate mounted on cup 05, as clearly shown in the above Fluke and Flint application.

The foregoing latch means enables distributor frame I02 and spider I I4 to be releasably locked together during the step by step motion of both elements while pins are being delivered one after another into cups C I-C I 0.

The foregoing arrangement is effected during the first nine indexing or step by step motions of the distributor and spider. Near the completion of the ninth movement, Ilatch 368 is moved out of notch Silla, and as the tenth step movement .of the distributor occurs and all cups .are filled, finger I92 of the spider moves into engagement with the stop I94.

As already mentioned, and as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a cycling cam I40, disposed in a horizontal plane, is rigidly secured to the upper end of shaft Y above the gear box I03. Operatively associatedwith cam vI are switches DA, DB and D0, which (Fig. 5) are supported on brackets 200 projecting upwardly from the top of the gear box I03. The brackets are constructed to position the switches so that selected parts of the cam I40 can actuate desired switches during the rotation of the distributor D and cam plate I40 with the shaft Y.

Extending radially outward from the cam plate 'I 40, is a series of eight cam lobes 202-216. Switch DA is disposed so that the roller 2 I I on its actuator 2 I8 may be engaged successively by the lobes 202-2I6.

Switches DB and DC' are positioned above the cycling cam I40 and are aligned respectively with cams 220 and 222 projecting upwardly from cam I40, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Cams 220 and 222 are located at different radial distances from the center of shaft Y, so that switch DB is engaged only by cam 220, and switch DC can only be engaged by cam 222 during rotation of cycling cam 160. When distributor frame I02 has arrived in a position in which cup C8 is at the pin receiving station in alignment with the transport belts I50, cam 220 has engaged and actuated switch 'DB.

As shown in Fig. 8, there extends upwardly from one of the arms of the spider IM a post 230, see also Fig. 6, to the upper end of which is secured a cam plate 232. Secured to the underside of the frame I02 of the distributor D is a normally open switch 234; which, during certain relative motions between spider and distributor, is engaged and closed by the cam plate 232. The purpose of this switch will be described hereinafter.

At this time brief reference only has been made with respect to the table T sufficient to disclose the relation of funnels F thereof to distributor D. However, in order to enable the table to spot or respot pins on the alley, a vertical substantially straight line motion is impartsm to it, the table for this purpose being movable on vertical guides 240 on the machine frame.

In order to effect the desired movement of table T, a horizontal shaft 24H extends across the top of the machine frame and is supported in bearings on the side members IOI thereof, see Fig. 3. This shaft has provided at each end thereof a crank 242. The free end of each crank 242 is connected by a link 243 to the free end of another crank 244. Each of the lower cranks 244 is secured to a pivot 245 onvthe adjacent side of the table. Thus, by rotation of the cranks 242, the table can be raised and lowered. The

12 :means for driving shaft 24], see Fig. 3,:may com prise a motor 240 which, together with a re- :duction gearing .1243, is supported on the ma,- chine frame. Gear box 2%? has a shaft 21% which, by suitable sprockets and chains, is zopieratively connected to the shaft 241 for rotating it as needed.

The table T. as disclosed in the Fluke and Flint application referred to, is provided with suitable pin respotting devices or grippers for pickmg up and respottmg pins, if any, which remain standing :after :a first ball. Such respotting devices or grippers are diagrammatically suggested at T Fig. 1.

The operation and .control of the table move.- Hififlfis H. 1 th l .1055 ther n may 6 fifi l thr u h suita le lec i cir uits a d approp te devices, and since such are fully shower and described in t uke a d lint appl cation Se No. 59,706, it is eem nnec ss to discuss c proc dure in detail re- Con-trc'l circuit and operation When the cup supportin frame I02 off the distributor D is in the position shown in Fi s. 3 and 6, and the spider H4 is in its operative pin supporting position relative thereto, the follow.- n conditi ns will exist: Latchin r lay .sree diagram Fig. 9, will be latched. Latching relay LBS will be unlatched. Contacts 259 of switch DC w l e he i op n p s t b ca pr ection 222 and the spider switch 234 will be closed due to th en a ement thereof by cam 1232 o th sp der post 230, here y ener iz n r lay TR? which may be a e y of th t pho t pe.

o eration of th b wlin pin p tt n mach n illustrat d n the rawin s, an con o of hi h b th nov l m ans of this in io ma be understood by reference to the electric circuit shown in Fig. 9 and the following explanation.

Switch .1; at he leading and of a s t vice K controls the delivery of pins to the pin transport means K from the elevating means at the rear of the machine by starting and stopping the pin elevating motor M3 in accordance with the del ver of a u e number f p s y trans o t v ce K o distributor D.-

Switch B, associated with the transport device K, controls the step by step indexing op-, eration of frame 502 off distributor D as a result of pins passing by that switch except when the first pin of each set passes that switch, in which ca e no index n o frame 102 s e e t d- The first pin of a new set passing over the transp d vi e is r c iv d in the cu C5 of the .dis-. ri t s he by c us a d la e ind x as s t for n de i he eafter.

Switch C, adjacent the discharge end of the ansp t me ha ism K. w en op r by t first pin of a new set, as above mentioned, sets up the control circuit so that each following pin Nos. 9, l0, 6, 3, 1, 2, .4, '7 and 8, will index distributor frame 02 to locate a succeeding empty cup in pin receiving position.

In the operation of the machine, motor M3 will be started initially when all pins are in the pit or on the alley by the action of normally closed contacts 2'58 of switch A which energizes the coil of relay LE3. Relay LRB contacts 280 then close and start motor M3. Subsequent starting and stopping of motor M3 "is controlled by switch A and by a second circuit consisting of normally closed contacts 256 of cam switch DB, normally open contacts 258 of cam switch DC which are closed by engagement therewith of cam projection 222 and contacts 252 of relay TR2 now closed due to the fact that switch 234 is operated, as a result of a previous delivery of a set of ten pins from the distributor to table T, thereby energizing the coil of and operating relay TR2. This second circuit will also energize the coil of relay LE3 thereby closing contacts 28% and starting motor M3.

Motor M3 now operating, will drive the pin els vating chains 52 and also the belts I50 of transport device K for delivery of pins one by one to cups CiCil of distributor D.

The first pin that engages actuator a of switch A in the LR3 circuit opens switch A but the motor M3 is not stopped since relay LRS is energized by a separate circuit described previously.

The first pin passing beyond actuator a of switch A to switch B actuates the latter and closes contacts 282 without efiecting any indexing movement of frame H32. This is because the circuit to the power relay PR2, which operates the one-revolution clutch solenoid S2, controlling the movement of frame I02 of distributor D is open since the contacts 25s on latching relay LPUG are open, the relay being unlatched at this time.

The first pin, travelling by movement of transport mechanism K is now being discussed. It will, after passing switch B, engage actuator c of switch C closing contacts 286 and making a circuit through the latching coil of the latching relay LE6, thereby causing that relay to be latched. This relay LRt is mechanically held in latched position. Continued travel of the first pin causes it to pass from belts I50 downwardly over the rear end I72 of guide plate no and into cup C5 of the distributor.

The second pin of a set of ten pins, in engaging switch A, opens switch A but does not stop motor M3, since it is still energized by the separate circuit described above. In passing switch B, however, this second pin, in closing contacts 282, establishes the circuit to index relay PR2 since relay LRE is now latched. The operation of the index relay PR2 effects actuation of solenoid S2, whereby the clutch I26 effects one cycle, thereby indexing the distributor frame 102 the required distance to locate cup 09 in pin receiving position.

Since actuator b of switch B, as shown in Fig.

3, is located at a considerable distance from the pin loading station, the cup Ct, moved as stated, has ample time to come to rest in pin receiving position before the pin passing actuator b of switch 5 can reach that cup. As the pin is carried by the belts 5553 of transport K towards distributor D, it will engage actuator c of switch C, closing contacts 2% and again energizing the latch coil of latch relay LREE. Since this relay is already latched, no change is effected in that circuit.

The distributor frame I02, in moving cup C9 to the loading position as a result of the single actuation of clutch I26, causes cam element 222 on cam II -iii to move out of engagement with switch DC causing its contacts 259 to assume their normal closed position. This causes the shunting of the relay TR2 normally open contacts 262 in the relay LE3 coil circuit and provides a source of power to the LE3 coil until switch DB is actuated as a result of the receipt of a full load by the distributor. This new circuit now supplying power to the LE3 coil circuit.

consists of DB cam switch normally closed contacts 255, DC cam switch normally closed contacts 259 and LRS relay normally open contacts 14 253, now closed due to the latched condition of LE6 relay.

It should here be noted that, as shown in Fig. 4, the cam lobes 202-2 I6 are equally spaced from each other reading in the above order. The center to center distance of this spacing in the present instance is 40. The distance directly between cam lobe 202 and cam lobe 2 I6 is, however, The roller 2H on the actuator 2I3 is disposed midway between the cam lobes 202 and 2H5, thereby being 40 from either lobe at this time. The arrangement of the cam lobes and the switch DA is such that each 40 movement of cam lobes Zil2-2i6 in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 3 and 4, is equivalent to two index steps of distributor frame I02 to be made following two actuations of the one revolution clutch I26.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the position of the parts after a first pin P of a new set has been carried by transport K and delivered into cup C5. The travel of that pin through the transport mechanism and its actuation of the various switches A, B and 0, causes no indexing of the distributor. However, passage of the second pin through the transport mechanism, as described above, causes a single indexing of the distributor to place cup C9 in position to receive that second pin. In this action cam Mil will travel 20 through the one actuation of the clutch 26 carrying point 203 (shown in Fig. i) to a position opposite the roller 2.1! of the contactor 2I8 of switch DA.

Upon the passage of the third pin of a new set of pins through the transport mechanism K, its actuation of switch B will now cause the distributor frame to rotate 20 by actuation of solenoid S2 and closing of the clutch I26. Before this 20 movement is completed, the cam switch DA is closed, effecting a second operation of solenoid S2 and clutch I25, since point 202 moves into engagement with roller 2!! of actuator 2 E8 of switch DA, thereby completing the movement for the required 40 to position cup CH3 at the loading station opposite the transport mechanism to receive the third pin, which just previously had actuated switch B.

The distributor frame I 02 action, as just described, occurs while the third pin is travelling along the belts !50 and is completed before that pin reaches and engages actuator c of switch C. This action is assisted by the relative speeds of the belts I50 and the distributor frame I022. The mechanism is so designed that the time required for the distributor to make one indexing movement is less than the time required for a pin to be moved by belts I50 from switch 3 to switch C. The distributor frame 02 indexing, as stated, is faster than the belt travel, so that its movement step by step is always sufficient to insure that the desired empty cup comes to rest at the loading station before the pin can enter it.

Similarly, the delivery of the fourth pin into cup C6 and successive pins into cups C3, CI, C2, C6, C3 and C8, respectively, is effected, as described above, by sequential double indexing of the distributor frame by reason of the spacing of the remaining lobes 204-256 on cam I40.

The indexing operation which brings cup C8 into pin receiving position relative to transport K to receive the tenth and last pin of a set. causes switch DB to be actuated by cam projection 22%, as stated. When the normally open contacts 25? of this switch are closed, relay LRES unlatching coil is energized to unlatch that relay and open contacts 250 and 253 thereof and "closecontazcts .252 thereof. The contacts are thus shown in the circuit diagram, Fig. 9,, and relay m is shown open position as :a consequence.

The foregoing operations open the circuit including the holding circuit for the coil of relay shunting the normally closed contacts on switch A .so that any succeeding pin (which would be the first pin of a new set) being delivered by the pin elevator mechanism and coming into contact with switch A, will open normally closed contacts 2.1.8 of switch A and thereby remove power from the coil of relay LRS and cause its contacts ass to open andstop motor M3. This stops the operation of the pin elevating mechanism and the transport belts i511. That pin will stop adjacent switch .A and remain there until (after the distributor is unloaded. In this manner, such a pin cannot be carried by the transport mechanism K and dumped upon the fully loaded distributor. Motor M3 may be equipped with a suitable brake of conventional design that quickly stops the drive to the elevator and the transfer belts whenever the power to motor is interrupted.

The diagram of Fig. :9 illustrates a latching relay L-R l, the 'unlatching coil of which is operable by the table cam TI-I which operates the Witch shown associated therewith when the table T goes through a spotting operation for setting pins on the alley. Cam TH as well as a cam 'TG are mounted on the cam shaft 299., see Fig. 9. Such a cam shaft may be suitably driven by the table cam shaft 241 to insure cyclic operation thereof in timed relation to the distributor drive means to enable .all operations of the distributor, pin delivering devices and the controls to occur at the desired relative times in a bowling sequence. Thus in order to maintain corresponding rotary motions between shafts 24! and 2% and to enable the operation of distributor D, the pin delivery cups C, and the associated controls in the desired sequence, shaft 2 3i is provided with a sprocket 340 on which runs a chain as! engaging and driving sprocket 3%2 fixed to control cam shaft 298 which supports cams TG and TH (see Figs. 3 and 9).

Since such cam shaft drive means are fully disclosed in the pending Fluke and Flint application, detailed description in the present disclosure is deemed unnecessary.

When relay LE4 is unlatohed, as shown, contacts 25d thereof are closed. Cam TG on shaft 299 is operable to close the contacts 292 of the switch associated therewith when the table .is in the correct position to receive pins. Relay TR? is the control relay for the machine which is de-energized on a first ball and is energized on a second ball. The construction and operation of this control means are fully shown and described in the above referred to Flint and Fluke application, and further description herein is deemed unnecessary. The relay is also energized by the detection of a strike or of a foul on a first ball of a frame, and affects the operation of the machine to efiect a proper discharge of pins from the distributor cups into funnels 'F of spotter table T. When the distributor D has received a full load of ten pins and conditions for unloading these pins into the table have been met, such for example, as all of the table funnels F being empty, the table T in correct position to receive pins from the distributor D, and its timing cycle being in order, a circuit is set up consisting of distributor cam operated switch DB contacts 251' which are closed and contacts 252 of relay LE6 which are {closed since relay LE6 is energized. TG cam holds its switch contacts .292 closed, relay T83 contacts .264 are closed, and relay LR-ll contacts 254 are closed, causing index relay PR2 to be operated and :close its contacts 295. This causes distributor indexing solenoid S2 to trip the clutch I26 for one revolution. When the distributor frame ill-2 has moved approximately 10 of the 20 final unloading index, switch DB operates opening contacts 2:53, and closing contacts 255 thereby interrupting the foregoing circuit through the coil of relay PR2 so that solenoid S2 is de energized. This action stops the distributor after its final 20 of rotation has been completed.

When the distributor is in the loaded position, with the spider H t With its pin supports H5 still positioned to support pins in the cups, the finger 592 on the spider stop 4-94., previously described.

As the distributor then moves through the last 20 index for unloading the pins, the spider is retained in contact with stop :l'fi'fil so that it fails to follow the distributor, thereby clearing the bottoms of the cups to permit the pins to fall therethrough.

Near the completion of this last index, switch DC is actuated by cam projection 222 to close the contacts 258 of that switch and thereby energize relay PR3 closing contacts 295. Relay PR3 is preferably a delayed action relay which is adjustable to close contacts 2%, say one second after energization of it's coil. This insures ample time to be provided for all pins to be located in the table funnels F before spider H4 is released for return to its operative position by spring 185 relative to the cups on distributor frame I02. Obviously a larger er a shorter period of time could :be provided, if desired.

Closing of this relay operates solenoid S3, thereby raising lever I so as to carry stop roll-er 19 out of engagement with spider finger l92, whereupon the spider, under the action of spring i855, advances to carry the pin supports I 55 thereof into pin supporting position beneath the distributor cups in which position the spider is again latched to the distributor by the latch mechanism associated with cup C5, as previously described.

In assuming this position, the spider carries cam plate 232 on post 238 into position to engage and close spider switch 234, thus energizing relay TRZ and closing contacts 2% and 262 thereof.

In this way power is applied through the now closed contacts "255 of cam switch DB, contacts 258 of switch DC and contacts 259 of relay TR'Z to the latching coil of relay LEA to latch this relay.

When contacts 282 of relay TRZ close, power is also supplied to the relay LR'3 of motor M3 through switch contacts 256, contacts 258 of switch DC and contacts 262 of relay TRZ. This starts the motor M3 for the elevator and transport if it had been stopped as a result of a pin reaching switch A after the distributor is loaded.

The foregoing operations constitute one loading and unloading cycle of the distributor which is now in position to receive a new set of pins.

From the foregoing description of the present invention it will be observed that latch-type relays are used in connection with the control of the functions of the bowling pin spotting machine. It is believed obvious that, as a result, a power shut-01f for example, while stopping the machine, will not change or throw out of phase its cyclic operation, since the latch relays will retain all parts locked up until power is restored.

The machine will then proceed where it left off and continue the action of any incompleted cycles or performance in proper phase or sequence.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A bowling pin spotting machine having movable distributor frame provided with a plurality of substantially triangularly arranged pin cups for receiving pins and positioning said pins in substantially upright position therein, pin elevating mechanism from which pins are delivered in succession, means for transporting said deliv cred pins one after another to selected cups on said distributor frame, means for driving said pin elevator, said pin transport and said distributor, means operable by a pin moving on said transport for intermittently actuating said distributor drive means to move said distributor pin cups successively into position to receive pins from said transport, and other means associated with said pin transport and operable by a pin transported thereby for stopping said pin elevating mechanism and said pin transport drive means when each of said cups in said frame has received a pin.

2. A bowling pin spotting machine having an intermittently movable distributor frame, a plurality of pin receiving cups mounted on said frame, an electrically controlled device for indexing said distributor to position said cups to receive pins therein one after another, an electrical circuit having means for actuating said device, a pin transport mechanism including a pair of spaced V-belts to carry pins endwise therealong to said distributor, pin elevating mechanism for delivering pins to said V-belts of said transport mechanism, means for driving said V-belts and said pin elevating mechanism, a switch in said circuit operable by pins carried by said V- belts to actuate said device to effect sequential indexing of said distributor until each of said cups contains a pin, and a second switch in said circuit also engageable by pins moving along said transport, and means operative in response to the engagement therewith of the first pin of the next set of pins to be fed to said distributor to stop said driving means and thereby prevent additional pins from reaching said distributor.

3. A bowling pin spotting machine having a movable distributor frame provided with pin cups for receiving pins, pin elevating mechanism from which pins are delivered in succession, means for transporting said delivered pins one after another to said distributor, means for driving said distributor frame to move said pin cups thereon successively into a position to receive pins from said pin transport, means associated with said transport mechanism and operable by pins transported thereby for intermittently actuating said distributor drive means, means operated by the first pin of a new set of pins advanced bysaid transporting means for preventing move ment of said distributor, means for rendering said preventing means inoperative in response 18 to the delivery of the first pin of a set of pins into a selected cup on said frame, and other means incapacitating said distributor frame drive means when all of said cups on said frame are filled.

4. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, a pin spotter, said spotter being provided with a plurality of pin spotting units, and means for moving said spotter to and from the pin supporting deck of a bowling alley for spotting a set of bowling pins in playing arrangement thereon, a distributor mounted above said spotter including a movable series of pin supporting cups, a conveyor for delivering pins one by one to said cups, an elevator for delivering pins from said pit to said conveyor, an indexing device for said movable series of cups, control means spaced along said conveyor and actuated by pins moved by said conveyor to said cups for intermittently actuating said indexing device to move said cups to present empty cups seriatim for delivery of pins thereinto, said control means including a device actuated by the first pin of a set advanced by said conveyor for preventing movement of said series of cups, and means for rendering said device inoperative in response to the delivery of the first pin of a set into a selected cup on said frame.

5. In a bowling pin spotting machine having a pin spotting table and means for raising and lowering said table to spot bowling pins in playing arrangement on the bowling deck of an alley, a movable distributor mounted above the path of travel of said table, said distributor being provided with spaced pin supports for receiving and supporting pins to be delivered to said spotter table, pin elevating mechanism, a pin transporting conveyor to receive pins from said pin elevating mechanism and convey pins one after another to a point of discharge into the said supports, means for moving said distributor to locate said pin supports successively at said point of discharge to receive pins from said pin transport conveyor, a plurality of pin actuated control means associated with said transport conveyor and operable by pins transported by said conveyor for intermittently actuating said distributor moving means, and means mounting said pin actuated control means at spaced points along said transporting conveyor for engagement by pins advanced thereby and at a distance from said point of discharge such that the intermittent motion of said distributor occurs and stops prior to the arrival of the pin which actuated said pin actuated control means at said point of discharge.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, a device for spotting and respotting pins on the playing bed of a bowling alley, said device having a plurality of pin spotting units and a plurality of respotting units mounted thereon, and means for moving said device to and from the pin supporting deck of a bowling alley for spotting a set of bowling pins in playing arrangement thereon, a pin assembling and distributing mechanism, said mechanism including a movable member provided with a plurality of spaced pin cups, a second movable member provided with a plurality of pin supporting surfaces mounted beneath said cups, and constructed and arranged to coact therewith for holding pins in each of said cups, a device for maintaining said members in pin receiving and supporting relationship, a conveyor for delivering a succession of pins removed from said it to a point of discharge into said cups on said first-named member, means tor locating a selected cup at said pointof :discharge to receive the first pin .of a set of pins :delivered by said conveyor, a device on said first member for maintaining said members with said selected in response to the movement of each succeeding pin along said conveyor for intermittently moving said members to locate empty cups in succession at said point of discharge after said first pin has been delivered into said selected cup, means for terminating the movement of said second-named member when all of said cups con- 'tain a pin, means for rendering said device .in- I operative in response to the filling of all of said cups, and means for effecting relative movement between said first-named member and said secend-named member to effect the discharge of bowling pins therefrom into said spotting units.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for efiecting relative movement between said first-named member and said secondnamed member includes an electrically released stop device, and a solenoid for moving said stop device out of the path of travel of said secondnamed member to allow the movement of said second-named member relative to said firstnamed member, means for restoring said members to pin supporting relationship, and means for delaying the return of said members to operative .pin supporting relationship after the discharge of pins from said cups until all pins have been delivered into said spotting units.

8. A distributor mechanism for a bowling pin spotting machine comprising an elongated infeed conveyor, means for driving said conveyor, a movable supporting member, a plurality of bowling pin supports mounted on said member, means for driving said member at a greater rate of speed than the speed of said infeed conveyor, a pin elevating device for delivering pins to said infeed conveyor, means for driving said device at a rate of speed slower than the speed of said .i'nfeed conveyor, and control mechanism including devices actuated by pins advanced to said supports for controlling the movement of said movable supporting member and for stopping said means for driving said infeed conveyor and said means for driving said elevating device when a bowling pin has been delivered to each of said pin supports, and means .for effecting the gravity discharge of said pins from said supports.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said control mechanism includes an electric circuit, and said devices include pin actuated switches in said circuit and spaced along said conveyor and adapted to be engaged by each pin fed by said conveyor.

10. The invention defined in claim 9, wherein said circuit of said control mechanism includes a sub-circuit for controlling the movement of said movable member to effect the delivery of the first pin to be delivered by said infeed conveyor into a selected support on said movable member, a second sub-circuit for controlling and effecting a step by step movement of said movable member in effecting the delivery of a succession of pins to fill all supports on said member, and a third sub-circuit for preventing the movement of said movable member when each of said supports contains a bowling pin, said sub-circuits including said pin actuated switches.

11. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said circuit of said control mechanism includes a latch :relay for lroldingin-fthe tthird sub-circuit after abowling pin has been .sdelivered by said conveyor .to each .of said supports onsaidmnvable member, and means for automatically unlatching said latch relay on discharge .of said pins from said supports to prepare said distributor :for the deliveryof a new ;set:of pins to :said supports.

12. The invention set forth in claim lowherein said control mechanism includes alatch :relay in said second-named sub-circuit,'means operative after the first pin or anew set of pins has been delivered into said selected support for energizing said latch relay to maintain said circuit during all movements of said movable :member in locating empty supports .in position to receive a from said infeed conveyor, means for de-energizing said latch relay to break said circuit when all supports on said member contain a pin, a second latch relay in said circuit, means for energizing said second latch-relay when all of said supports contain pins, and means ,for de-energizing said second latch-relay upon discharge of all pins from said supports to prepare said dis- 'tributor for the delivery of a set of pins to said empty supports.

13. A bowling tpin spotting machine having an intermittently movable distributor provided with aplurality of substantially triangularly arranged pin receiving and supporting cups, an electrically controlled device for indexing said distributor to receive pins therein one after another, an electrical circuit having therein means for actuating said device, a pin transport mechanism including a conveyor to carry pins endwise therealong to said distributor, means for driving said conveyor, a switch in said circuit operable by pins carried by said conveyor to actuate said first-named means to cause said device to effect an intermittent indexing of said distributor until a predetermined number of pins has been assembled therein, and a second switch .in said circuit also engageable by pins passing :on said conveyor, and means operative by said second switch in response to the first pin of the next set of pins to be fed to said distributor by :Sdi'd conveyor for stopping said driving :means and thereby preventing additional pins from reaching said distributor.

14. vA bowling pin spotting machine having a movable distributor frame provided with pin cups .for receiving pins, pin elevating mechanism from which pins are delivered in succession, means for transporting said delivered. pins one after another to said distributor frame, normally inoperative means responsive to the movement of successive pins towards said cups for driving said distributor frame to move said pin cups thereon successively into a position to receive pins from said pin transporting means, and means responsive to the delivery of the first pin of a new set of pins into a selected pin cup for conditioning said distributor frame driving means for operation in response to the movement of subsequent successive pins of said set of pins towards said pin cups.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,190,651 Hedenskoog July '11, 1916 1,573,643 Proch Feb. 16, 1926 1,692,796 Bishop Nov. 20, 1928 1,896,383 White Feb. 7, 1933 2,015,428 Hedenskoog Sept. 24, 1935 2,388,707 Rundell Nov. 13, 1945 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945 

